Songkhla Mermaid 'not for prayers'

Songkhla Mermaid 'not for prayers'

The Songkhla Municipality is reminding both tourists and local people that the famed Mermaid statue is not a site intended for prayers.

Tourists have their picture taken with the Golden Mermaid statue, seen draped in yellow scarfs and garlands, on Simila beach on Thursday. (Photo by Wichayant Boonchote)

The municipality announcement on Thursday said the landmark was built to be a symbol of the city, to promote Samila beach for tourists, and for no other purpose.

The statement is in response to the actions of people who have begun draping the statue in yellow scarfs and flower garlands.

Beachside vendors say they believe that worshippers bought the scarfs and garlands after their prayers had been answered.

The municipality announbcement said this worship was damaging the mermaid's reputation and to the intended purpose of the statue.

The bronze statue was cast by Chirt Buabutr, a former director of Poh Chang School, in 1966 and was commissioned by the municipality at a cost of 60,000 baht. It followed the example of Copenhagen, in Denmark, which has the famed Little Mermaid sculpture as the city's symbol. The Danish statue has been with the city since 1913.

The Songkhla Mermaid is officially named the Golden Mermaid, or Nang Nguek Thong.

Do you like the content of this article?
COMMENT